Australian Olympic legend Leisel Jones OAM has long inspired us in the pool, but it’s her strength out of the water that continues to resonate with so many.
The three-time gold medallist shared a candid Instagram post about her recent mental health struggle.
In it, the 39-year-old wrote: “Yesterday was one of my worst days, and I wanted to end it all. I think I have been battling high-functioning depression for a little while now and have just gone back to work with a psych.”
The post was liked by thousands of followers, with comedians Dave Hughes and Peter Helliar as well as fellow former elite athletes Lisa Curry, Giaan Rooney and Jana Pittman offering words of support.
In a recent interview with The Courier Mail, Leisel credited a simple yet powerful phrase for helping her hold on: “Stay until tomorrow”.
“I had said it before, but it was really crucial at that time because I was feeling so low, I was like just stay until tomorrow because you just don’t know what tomorrow looks like,” she said.
“You actually don’t know if you’re going to have the greatest day of your life tomorrow, but if you take your life now, you will never get it.”
It has been a tumultuous few years for the swimming star turned radio presenter. After calling it quits with her husband of five years, Damon Martin, in 2023, a year later, her afternoon radio show was axed on Triple M Brisbane, before she joined a breakfast radio show on Triple M Gold Coast.
“I was like, you know what, I’m going to post this because yesterday was really garbage and I wanted to end all of it, but today, I’ve just had the best walk I’ve ever been on. I’m going to post this just to show the difference a day can make … then it blew up,” she said of her post.
“I really had no idea that story was going to impact people and to be so extreme that it might save someone’s life.
“I’m not a spokesman, I don’t want to be any of that, it’s not my whole identity, but if I could save one person’s life with three simple words, that means so much to me.”
Leisel will be on the Mental Health panel at The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Summit, brought to you by Priceline, on the Gold Coast on 13 September 2025. For more information, click here.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au for free and confidential 24/7 support.
